Vehicle wheel



June 14, 1932. 1v, PUGH 1,862,804

VEHICLE WHEEL Filed Sept. 11, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet -1 June 14, 1932. vPUGH 1,862,804

VEHICLE WHEEL Filed Sept. 11, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. V. PUGH VEHICLEWHEEL June 14, 1932.

Filed Sept. 11, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 10 W W V. J

Jun e 14, 1932. J. v. PUGH 1,862,804

VEHICLE WHEEL Filed Sept. 11, 1928 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 (fl Fug/7 w gg J.V. PUGH VEHICLE WHEEL June 14, 1932.

, 1928 '7 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 11

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VEHICLE WHEEL Filed Sept. 11, 192

J. V. PUGH VEHICLE WHEEL June 14, 1932.

Filed Sept. 11, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented June 14, 1932 UNITE JOHNVERNON PUGH, OF MERIDEN, ENGLAND VEHICLE WHEEL Application filedSeptember 11, 1928, Serial No. 205,258, and in Great Britain October 20,1927.

This invention relates to vehicle wheels of the type having wire or likespokes which are subjected to tension and in which the spoke sets areconnected to independent members say at the two ends of the hub so thattension in the spokes may be regulated by moving said members relativeto one another in the direction of the axis of rotation of the wheel.

In such a wheel a member or spoke connecting means at the inside end ofthe hub must be capable of passing over an abutment or other supportingmeans which co-operates with the member or spoke connecting means on theoutside end of the hub and for this purpose a central aperture ofsufficient size may be provided. If the outer end abutment is large andthe inner end member in addi tion to passing over it is in the form of aflange or other continuous ring which will rovide facilities for thenecessary attachment of the wheel part to the vehicle by a series ofbolts the inner member will also be large and consequently ofconsiderable .2 weight.

iVith the spokes arranged to be tightened by moving apart in an axialdirection two members as above indicated the exterior set of spokes mayproject outward some distance from the front edge of the rim at any rateover the central region of the spoking and also some of the insidespokes maybe inclined in the opposite direction to the exterior set ofspokes and sloped inwards from 7 their points of connection to the rim:

Under the above conditions when the wheel forming structure is detachedfrom the hub or axle any pressure in an axial direction exerted upon themembers to which spokes are attached will push the spokes into positionsmore nearly parallel with the central plane of the wheel and thus causethe ends to be pushed. through the rim in a radially outward directionwith possible damage to the tyre.

"" The detached wheel is also unstable and difiicult to manipulate orfit with a tyre.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved wheel partof the type indicated which will be of simple and light construction andcan be attached to a vehicle by a plurality of bolts or the like whileit is also free from the foregoing objections.

The invention consists in a tyre carrying rim and wire spoke supportingstructure Iwhich is completly removable from the wheel 55 The inventionfurther consists in a tyre carrying rim and wire spoke supportingstructure having two or more groups of spokes those of each goupradiating from a centre not coaxial with the wheel centre.

The invention further consists in a wheel forming structure having twoor more sets of spokes at least one containing two or more'groupsradiating to the rim from two or more centres disposed round the wheelaxis and said sets of spokes being adapted to acquire suspensory andtorque-resisting tensions by their relative axial displacement.

The invention further consists in a Wheel 7 with sets of spokes passingfrom the rim inwards to spoke connection means axially saparable totension the spokes in which a central spoke connection means ispositioned upon an abutment surrounded by separate spoke connectionmeans and retention of the wheel on the vehicle and tensioning of thespokes is efiected by the same attachment devlces.

The invention further consists in a wheel as indicated in which a set ofspokes on the side of the wheel remote from the vehicle is connected toa central ring mountable upon a spigot of an axle end or other centralabutment while the inner side set of spokes is di- 85 vided to form aplurality of groups which are each connected to an eyelet and saideyelets are fitted upon a series of bolts or like devices which retainthe wheel upon avehicle and exert tension upon the spokes.

The invention further consists in a wheel in accordance with thepreceding paragraphs in which the spokes are grouped in such a mannerthat the resultant forces in the groups retain the eyelets in thecorrect positions to correspond with the wheel retaining devices.

The invention further consists in a wheel in accordance with any of theparagraphs other than the one preceding in which two eyelets arepositioned upon a retaining device and the spokes are oppositelydirected from each eyelet to the wheel rim while tightening of the twoeyelets upon the retaining device is adapted to move them relatively toone another and to exert tension on the spokes connected therewith.

The invention further consists in a wheel with sets of spokes passingfrom the rim inward to spoke connection means axially separable totension the spokes in which a cen tral spoke connection means remotefrom the vehicle is positioned upon a centering means provided with anadjustable shoulder or like abutment while spokes for the side adjacentto the vehicle are engaged by a series or group of attachment meansadapted to retain a wheel and transmit driving or other forces, all thespokes being tensioned by adjustment of the shoulder or like abutment.

The invention further consists in a wheel having outer side and innerside sets of spokes which are tensioned by axial separation. in theregions of the wheel axis of the two sets in which headed spokes areinserted through apertures in the rim to effect an inner end screwthread connection and after tensioning are fastened to the rim by theheads at their outer ends.

The invention further consists in a wheel as indicated having outer sidespokes connected to a central ring and inner side spokes grouped at aplurality of rings which are forced in an axial direction from thecentral ring when mounting the wheel in which the spokes are threaded atthe inner end and provided at the outer end with flattened heads whichare seated around apertures in the rim through which the spokes arepassed to screw into tapped holes in the rings and after screwing up thespoke heads are fastened at or round their edges to the rim for exampleby soldering, welding or other treatment.

The invention also consists in improvements in or relating to vehiclewheels as hereinafter described.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings Figures 1 and 2 show aconstruction in accordance with the invention and having spokes uponboth sides disposed as hairpin bends around eyelets which are positionedupon a central abutment and the holding-on bolts, the spokes beingattached to the rim by nipples.

Figures 3 and 4 show a modification in which the outer spokes are weldedto a con eral ring or eyelet and to the rim while the in ner spokes arewelded to the rim and bent round the eyelets co-operating with theholding-on bolts.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show another construction in which the outer spokesare the same as in the last-described figures while the inner spokes arewelded to the rim and two eyelets are positioned upon each holding-onbolt and arranged for a slight displacement relative to one another totension the spokes in the tightening up of the holding-on bolts.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 show an arrangement in which the inner set of spokesis first engaged with the holding-on means and the tension ing of thewheel is effected by outward displacement of the abutment carrying acentral ring or eyelet for the outer set of spokes.

Figures 11 and 12 show a form in which the spokes are provided withheads and pass through holes in the rim to effect screwthreadedengagement with the eyelets upon a central abutment and the holding-onbolts.

Figures 13, 1d and 15 show constructions with headed and screwed spokesas in the lastdescribed figures and with a larger number of holding-onbolts arranged at a greater dis tance from the centre of rotation uponthe disc part of a brake drum structure.

Figures 16 and 17 show modified forms of the central ring or eyelet forthe outer set of spokes and the supporting means therefor.

Figure 18 shows a construction similar to some of the before-describedconstructions so far as the outer side spokes are concerned and with theinner side spokes attached to eyelet means in the form of sleeves of asuiiicient length to be positioned upon the ordinary holdingon bolts ofwooden spolced, pressed steel or disc wheel constructions.

Tn carrying the invention into effect in one convenient form as shown inFigure 1 an inner hub a rotatable upon an axle end is provided with asuitable flange (1. for attaclr ing a wheel to a vehicle in a mannercommon in constructions which are generally known as bolted-on wheels,the said flange also it desired forming an attachment means for a brakedrum Z).

The inner hub part a is provided with cap a having at its extreme outerend or a distance from the flange equal to the length of an ordinary huba spigot or peg a concentric with the axis of rotation and projectingfrom a conical shoulder or like abutment a The flange a is made ofsutiicient size to provide at a reasonable distance within its outeredge for attachment points sufiiciently removed from the axis ofrotation to act as a tangent circle for the tension spokes of a wire orlike spoked wheel.

The flange (2 as shown in Figure 2 is provided at points such as aboveindicated with a series of three or if desired other suitable number ofstuds or bolts 0 for the attachment of the wheel, the projectingportions of the studs, bolls or the like being partly parah lel andpartly tapered as at 0 in this form, but varying in others ashereinafter more fully described.

A wheel forming structure for fitting upon a hub, axle end or the likeas before described is formed from an ordinary rim d provided of spokese is connected to a ring and eyelet hereinafter more fully describedwhich is adapted to fit upon the before-mentioned spigot (1 upon the endof the hub.

In one convenient construction for the outer spokes shown in Figure 1the eyelet f with flanges f, f fits upon the spigot a and the ring 9 ismade of a greater diameter to allow of a turn of the spoke wire betweenthe eyelet f and the interior of the ring. The set of spokes e is formedfrom a plurality of hairpin bends each of which encircles the eye let fwithin the ring 9 and has one leg positioned at the front and the otherat the back of said ring, the two ends being attached to the edge of therim (Z by nipples in the wellknown way as shown or in any other suitablemanner.

F or the set of spokes e 6 upon the inner side of the wheel eyeletshaving grooves upon the exterior thereof between the flanges f, f arepositioned upon each of the attachment devices 0, of for the wheel partand within the groove of each eyelet are positioned in Figures 1 and 2the loops of two hairpin bends e, e of spoke wire the ends of whichbends are carried to the rim and con- .ected to the centre thereoef inthe same man nor as the spokes of the set 6 on the outer side of therim.

The two hairpin bends e, 0 upon the eyelet f are as shown led to the rimin opposite directions so thatthe resultant forces in the two hairpinbends are opposite to one another and the spokes when the wheel part isdisconnected retain the eyelets f in the correct positions forcoinciding with the attachment devices 0, c for the wheel part.

The spoke lengths will be so arranged in the two sets a and e, e thatthe tightening up of the attachment devices to retain the wheel upon thevehicle will separate the two spoke sets from one another at theirinwardly directed ends or roots so that all the spokes are tensioned bythe act of attaching the wheel part to the vehicle, the connection meansor eyelet f and ring 9 to which the outer set of spokes e are attachedbeing retained in its correct position by the before-described shouldera at the inner end of the spigot a on the axle end or hub.

Instead of employing hairpin bend spokes only and attaching them to therim by means of nipples or the like the spokes may be welded orotherwise fastened either at their inner or outer or both ends. InFigures 3 and 4 all the spokes are welded to the rim and the spokes efor the set on the side of the wheel remote from the vehihcle are weldedat their inwardly directed ends to a single ring it which is positionedupon the conical shown.

The inwardly directed ends of the spokes upon the side of the wheeladjacent to the vehicle may also be welded to the eyelets or rings andin some instances as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 an attachment device 00 may be provided with two eyelets j, j side by side and spokes from theeyelet may be carried in one direction to the rim of the wheel andspokes 70 from the eyelet j may be carried in the opposite direction tothe wheel rim as hereinafter more fully described. In such aconstruction the eyelets may be made with tapering central apertureswhich before mounting a wheel part are somewhat eccentric to oneanother, the inner eyelet j having a larger diameter aperture than theouter one and the attachment devices 0 c for the wheel part may betapered as at 0 through both eyelets so that as the two eyeletsaretightened thereon the eyelets will be moved relative to one another inopposition to the forces in the spokes connecting them with the rim. Inthis way part of the tension may be applied to the spokes while theother part may be applied by the separation in an axial direction of theinner ends of the spoke sets in the manner already described. Hairpinbends or screwed spokes may also be employed in this way. 7

Instead of the groups of spokes upon the side of the wheel adjacent tothe vehicle being engaged by adjustable attachment devices such as thestuds or bolts 0, 0, c 0 these groups may as shown by way of example inFigures 8, 9 and 10 be provided with keyhole or buttonhole slottedeyelets Z for engaging stationary heads acting as hooks or the likeattached to a flange a and brake drum [2, the eyelets Z in addition tohaving the buttonhole slots Z being also recessed as at Z to accommodatea conical head 0 Figure 8 or shouldered head 0 Figure 10 on the bolts 0The central abutment in this case takes the form of an adjustabl spigotand shoulder a, a screwed into the hub cap a and having a collar a tolimit the outward movement by engaging the cap flange a The eyelets Zare engaged with the bolts 0 and heads 0* or 0 while the central ring itof the set of spokes remote from the vehicle is positioned upon thespigot a which is screwed back for the purpose by means engaging thesquare central socket a after which the adjustable spigot and shoulderis moved outwards by opposite rotation and the wheel spokes are thusplaced in a suitable state of tension. Other ways of attaching the setof spokes adjacent to the vehicle and of supporting and adjusting theset remote therefrom may also be employed for the fore going purpose.

In carrying the invention into effect as shown in Figures 11 and 12 aback axle or a short axle end on which is to be supported in a roller orlike outer bearing member by means of which the steering is effected isprovided with a serrated or like band or region m in the centre of whichthere is formed a groove m of semi-circular cross section.

A split ring or the like in the groove forms a positioning means for thetwo discs m which when fastened as described in the above-mentionedapplication constitute a flange member for driving in either directionwithout rotational slackness and to which the wheel part is attached.

Thethree bolts 0 which hold the discs m together are double ended with acentral barrel portion 0 c tapering from a maximum diameter at themiddle of the barrel to a smaller diameter adjacent to the threadedregions at each end of the bolts or studs. One of these tapering regions0 co-operates with slightly displaced holes in the discs m as describedin the before-mentioned application and the other tapering region 0projects together with its adjacent threaded portion 0' from the outerface of the outer of the two discs m and forms the connecting means sayfor a vehicle wheel.

The axle or the like m extends from the serrated region m in an outwarddirection a distance equivalent to the length of an ordinary wheel huband at the end there is provided a conical region m with a blunt orrounded apex.

Upon the blunted apex cone m and upon each of the projecting conicalregions 0 of the wheel part retaining bolts 0 are fitted rings oreyelets n and n, the ring it upon the axle end being provided with anumber say for example nine tapped holes equally distanced around thering and pointing in a radial direction with a slope inward from the xleend. The rings n upon the wheel part retaining bolts 0 are provided eachwith say six tapped holes which may be unequally spaced from one anotherin order to accominodate the spoking arrangement hereinafter more fullydescribed. Some of the holes in these rings are parallel to a plane atright angles to the wheel axis and others are slightly inclined to sucha plane in an outward direction.

The rim for the wheel may as shown at d Figure 11 be of an ordinarycentral well type and be provided in the centre of the well and upon oneof the side platforms or seatings with a plurality of depressed orcountersunk holes (Z large enough to pass the threaded ends of thespokes and with the depressions shaped as shown at (Z to nicely fit outto the edges thereof the under sides of suitably shaped heads 0 formedupon the spokes 0 a rim (1 for the arrangement described. with referenceto Figure 12 being provided with twenty-seven holes substantiallyequally spaced around the rim and inclined in suitable directions forthe spoking arrangement hereafter described.

The spokes 0 for a wheel as indicated may suitably be made from wireswaged down between the ends as shown at 0 and headed up with a flattopped head 0 gradually merging with a curved under side out of thematerial of the spoke wire without any sudden change of section.

Through every third hole around the circumference and position ed in theside seating cl of the rim a spoke the centre line of which is marked 0in Figure 12 is passed and screwed into one of the tapped holes providedin the ring it upon the axle end, the radial thickness of the rings atand 'n being suflicient to provide a suitable length of fully threadedspoke in each of the tapped holes. The spokes 0 form the outer set ofspokes which is inclined as may be seen in Figure 11 at a somewhatsmaller angle to the axis of the wheel than the inner inclined spokes.The radially directed spokes 0 of the outer set are arranged so that theholding-on bolts 0 for the wheel when as before mentioned three areemployed come centrally between each third pair of spokes.

To the rings at fitted upon the holding-011 bolts 0 the inner sets ofspokes are carried upon the remaining holes of the rim and each of theholding-on bolt rings or eyelets n in this particular arrangement hassix spokes attached thereto. These spokes are arranged in two series ofthree each upon opposite sides of the ring and marked respectively 0 0 0and 0 0 0 in Figure 12. The two central spokes 0 and 0 of each seriesare practically in line with one another and one is passed through ahole in the centre of the rim well and the other through a hole in theside seating the holes in question being selected so that four of theholes accommodating the outer set of spokes 0 lie between them aroundthe circumference.

The other two spokes for instance 0 0 and 0 0 of each series for a givenholding-on bolt ring are positioned upon opposite sides of the centralspoke for instance 0 and 0 of the series and at somewhat differentangles thereto upon the opposite sides, those on the side away from thewheel axis making a somewhat greater angle with the central. spokes oftheir series and the stresses in the spokes being suitably proportionedto balance and position the ring, the outer spokes of each series beingin each case positioned on the rim three holes away from the centralspoke of the same Series.

By the foregoing arrangement the three spokes of any one series forexample 0 0 which go to the side seating of the rim will readily passthe three spokes for eXampie 0 0 07 which'go to the well of the rim ofthe series adjacent thereto of the next holding-on bolt ring and theswaged down central portions otthe spokes facilitate this crossingwithout any fouling. In a transverse section such as Figure 11 the innerside spokes such as 0 0 0 which go to the centre of the rim well appearas a separate set to the inner side spokes such as 0 0, 0 which go tothe rim side seating and this is the case insofar as the term sets ofspokes has been used in connection with what has been generally known asa triple spoke wheel. Int-he pres ent description, however, the spokesgoing to the axle or hub end have been described as one set and thespokes going to the holding-on ,bolts as another set for the reason thatthese represent the two sets which are separated at their inner ends inan axial direction for tensioning purposes.

A wheel part when built .up as hereinbefore described may have the spokeheads 0 attached to the rim by some convenient method so that an axialmovement of the ring to which the spokes are attached will not cause theheads of the spokes to protrude further through the holes into the wellof the rim and thus possibly damage the tyre and so that the Wheel partremains a comparatively rigid structure when taken oil the hub or axleend. For this purpose the spoke heads 0 may be soldered or brazed roundthe edge to the material of the rim or they may be welded at one spot orall round the edge of the fiat head 0, and as the edges of the head aregradually thinned out as hereinbefore described and shown the heads maybe safely subjected to such heat treatment without having any eilectupon the body portion of the spoke which is in tension and musttherefore retain its full tensile strength. The spoke heads may also beheld down by an encircling band or the like.

In some cases where a brake drum is employed the holding-on bolts may beattached thereto at any desired distance from the axis of the wheelwithin the radius of the brake drum.

Such arrangements are shown in Figures l3, l4 and where headed andscrewed spokes p are shown upon the outer side of the wheel engaging atapped central eyelet Q positioned upon a central conical abutment awhile headed and screwed spokes p, p

upon the side of the wheel adjacent to the vehicle are shown engagingeyelets n positioned upon double-ended holding-on bolts 0 c and asubstantially similar to those described in connection with Figures 11and 12 but with the exception that the inner conical regions a of thebolts are positioned in tapered or countersunk holes formed in a brakedrum 6 In Figure 14: the spokes 10', 29 upon the inner side of the wheelpart are shown asaccurately positioning the eyelets a to correspond withthe holding-on bolts 0", 0 while a reasonable amount of tension ismaintained upon the spokes. In Figure 15, however, the resultant tensionupon all of the spokesconnected to any one of the eyelets n acts in aradial direction and tension cannot be present in the spokes prior tothe positioning of the eyelets upon the holding-on bolts and thetightening up of the latter.

Figures 16 and 17 show modifications of the central eyelet or spokepositioning means. In Figure 16 the spoke positioning means 1 is in theform of a cap having a recess on the side adjacent to the vehicle whichis positioned upon a spigot 8 formed at the end of a hub cap 8. -InFigure 17 the hub cap-s is formed witha central aperture and the spokepositioning means 1" is formed as a disc or shield having upon the sideadjacent the vehicle a plug 1 which fits into the cen tral aperture ofthe hub cap.

Figure 18 shows a construction similar to some of those previouslydescribed but in this case the spokes upon the side adjacent to thevehicle are attached to eyelets or rings t of a sleeve-like form, thesleeves if being long enough to fill the space usually occupied by thenave of a bolted-on wooden spoked, pressed steel or hollow central discwheel the ordinary holding-on bolts 4) for which are shown upon thedrawing. The sleeve-like eyelets t are provided with a conicalseating tat their inner ends and these conical seatings are positioned upon aconed ring 1) arranged to fit tightly upon the holding-on bolt 1).

It is to be understood that the particular wheel parts described aregiven by way oi example and that additions and modifications may beintroduced into the structure without in any way departing from thespirit of this invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent is 1. A wheel forming structure having sets ofspokes upon opposite sides and at least one of said sets divided intogroups and each group co-operating with separate means for attaching thestructure to a vehicle hub, said sets of spokes being adapted to acquiresuspensory, side strain-resisting and torque-resisting tensions by theirrelative axial displacement.

' 2. A wheel with sets of spokes passing from the rim inwards to spokeconnection means axially separable to tension the-spokes in which acentral member connecting all'the spokes on one side is positioned uponan abutment surrounded by a series of separate spoke connection meansWhich coact with attachment devices to efiect a retention of the Wheelon the fixed hub the tightening of the attachment devices efiectingtinal tensioning of said spokes.

3. A Wheel according to claim 1 in which a set of spokes on the side ofthe Wheel remote from the vehicle is connected to a central ringmountable upon the spigot of an axle end While the inner side set ofspokes is divided to form a plurality of groups which are each connectedto an eyelet, said eyelets being fitted upon 'a series of bolts whichretain the Wheel upon a fixed hub and exert tension upon the spokes.

l. 2i Wheel in accordance ith claim 1 in which the spokes of a groupco-operating with an eyelet forming said attaching means are disposedsymmetrically upon opposite sides thereof so that the resultant forcesin the groups retain the eyelets in the correct positions to correspondwith the Wheel retaining devices when the Wheel is being manipulated.

5. A. Wheel in accordance with claim 1 in which eyelets forming theattaching means are positioned upon tapering retaining devices so thattightening of the eyelets upon the retaining devices is adapted to movethem in the plane of the Wheel in centering them on the taperedretaining devices as Well as axially to exert tension on the spokes.

(i. A Wheel in accordance With claim 1 in Whicha central spokeconnection means remote from the vehicle is positioned upon a centeringmeans provided With a shoulderlike abutment While spokes for thesideadjacent to the vehicle are engaged by a series of attachment meansadapted to retain a Wheel and transmit driving and other forces, all thespokes being tensioned by adjustment of the axial distance between theabutment and the series of attachment means.

7. A Wheel forming structure comprising a rim, a concentric nave elementto one side thereof, an axial abutment engaging said nave element,spokes extending from said rim to said nave element, a series ofeyelet-like members disposed around the axis of said rim, groups ofspokes extending from saideyelets to said rim, and means for attachingsaid eyelets to a vehicle hub and etfecting a relative separation ofsaid eyelets and said nave element held on said abutment, therebytensioning the spokes anchored in said structures.

8. A Wheel forming structure comprising a rim, a concentric nave elementto one side thereof, an axial abutment engaging said nave element,spokes extending from said r-inn to said nave element, a series ofeyeletli ke members disposed around the axis of said rim, groups ofspokes extending from each of said eyelets to said rim divided into twoclusters approximately diametrically opposite to each other, and meansfor attaching said eyelets to a vehicle hnb and efl'ecti'ng a relativeseparation of said eyelets and said nave element held on said abutment,thereby tensioning the spokes anchored in said structures.

9. A Wheel forming structure comprising a rim, a concentric nave elementto one side thereof, an axial ab utment engaging said nave element,headed spokes inserted through apertures in said Tim and screwed intosaid have element, a series of eyelet-like members disposed around theaxis of said rim groups of headed spokes threaded into 'said eyeletsthrough apertures in said rim and divided into two clustersapproximately located on diametrically opposite sides of said eyelets toeach other and the spokes of one cluster being secured to the rim -indifferent circumferential zones than those of the diametrically oppositecluster, rotation and sliding of said spokes in said apertures beingprevented by metallic fusion attachment and screw-threaded devices forattaching said eyelets to a vehicle hub and drawing said nave elementagainst said abutment thereby exerting tension upon all said spokes. I

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. 7

JOHN VERNON PUGH.

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